[From a BBS posting dated 9/24/93]
Last night on HARD COPY, they had an interesting story about IRS abuses.
A pawn shop owner got behind in his payroll taxes. He worked out a payment plan with the IRS and was current in his payments. One day, his IRS agent and a "trainee" (read: corroborative witness) showed up and asked him to sign a form which would give the IRS the authority to seize his business and property. The owner refused to sign.
The two IRS agents then brought criminal charges against the pawn shop owner, claiming he threatened them. In their affidavits, they said they were so frightened they had to walk out of the shop backwards so they could keep an eye on the owner.
Well, HA HA. The pawn shop's security camera recorded the whole thing. The two IRS agents walked out with their backs to the owner and can even be heard saying "Have a nice day" as they walk out.
The criminal charges were dropped; the IRS wouldn't comment. Still, it shows what lengths the IRS will go to in order to seize your property.
(Author's name deleted to protect privacy)
[END]